Hawaii Net Information...

Net Information

Net Stats

Purpose:

The nets provide the training needed in order to become an effective communicator in both the emergency and public service sectors. This four-fold approach allows the Net Control Station (NCS) and check-in stations to:

Practice handling messages and traffic

Assess equipment and communications capability

Develop and promote brevity over-the-air

Disseminate amateur radio information and related news in a timely manner

Specifically:

Practice handling messages and traffic

As an NCS, you would want stations to know how to properly handle traffic/messages by knowing proper phraseology and protocol when transmitting or receiving messages for another station or government agency. Likewise, receiving stations should be aware of the protocols used when handling with traffic/messages. This includes proper use of ITU phonetics when checking in on one of the regular training nets. On fun nets, checking in with easy-to-remember phonetics such as King Henry Six Jolly King George is permited; however, on the emergency training nets, please check in with the standard International Telecommunications Union phonetics. This standard of phonetics allows new hams and served agencies to understand what is being said. New hams and others will be exposed to "DX" phonetics later.

Assess equipment and communications capability

knowing the status of your equipment and communications capability from various locations is important. Net Control, check-in stations, and those already in QSO must be able to transmit and receive messages with little to no interference. Self-training, testing, and troubleshooting play a dynamic role in making sure that your communication gear is not only in proper working order, but is situated in a way in which you will be able to initiate contact with another station during emergencies and non-emergencies with minimal difficulty. If you are unsure of your signal into the repeater (especially those on portable or on the fringes of the repeater), please ask before continuing your QSO. If you are portable and walking, and on the fringe of the repeater, stop where you are and make your transmission. Nothing is more frustrating than hearing severe "picket-fencing" on the repeater. You will have to repeat your message, a time-consuming method that takes up unnecessary air time.

Disseminate amateur radio information and related news in a timely manner

Finally, brevity over the air is very important. During an emergency or public service event net, we must always assume that emergency traffic can and will be transmitted when you least expect it. By promoting brevity, you are transmitting a message that is concise and to the point; one that is not long-winded and one that does not take up unnecessary air time. How do you practice brevity? Listen to a few public service event nets and ask yourself, "what can I do to keep this transmission short and to the point?" Another good example of brevity in communications is to listen to police (if you're able to), fire, or ambulance radio transmissions. Mastering brevity takes time and takes a lot of practice, but when you get it, you'll certainly gain an appreciation for it, and you will expect others to do the same. If you would like to learn more about emergency and public service net operations, please be sure to contact our Net Manager.

Net Schedule

UHF Nets:

Health Comm

First Business Day of the Month...1145W...444.775+, 443.775+, 442.925+, 442.775+, all with PL 123.0, make sure you use high power